Hello, I am an older guy, 58, learning how to jump. Whenever I do more than a few jumps, my stomach muscles either strain or become too sore for me to do any more. The higher I go, the worse the problem. Is this a technique issue or this just a problem of being out of shape?

Just to contrast some of the oppinions here, I am in descent shape and I do a regular regiment of ab workouts, and in spite of this, I still get sore abs when I get in a good session of jumping. I only kite 2 to 6 sessions a month. I have yet to find an exercise that replicates the muscles used for jumping while not kiting. I have even tried leg lifts while doing pull ups. Maybe I should try this with a board on my feet, but it doesn't fit in the doorway I use for pull ups

if u want ab exercise, get some hook boots that people use to hang upside down from a chinup bar. Now add 100 pounds and get to it hanging situps w 100 pound weights. When you can do a set of 10 you're in good enough shape to kite. Typical ab exercises will not build nearly the amount of ab strength u need 4 kiting. U mite need spotter after a set, 'cause it's difficult to unhook your boots from the chinup bar sometimes

I have done my share of ab excercises in the past, and nothing comes close to kitesurfing a few times a week.

I don't jump that much per session, but I have never felt any strain at all during jumping - more in the lower region when failing to land proper. My harness fits pretty snug - could imagine muscles being pulled a bit if the harness starts to ride up, which is not good. There is a big difference between sore and torn muscle tissue.

It might also relate to the take off. If you do not pop the board, but kind of let the board stick to the water and then pull it up with you legs and stomach once you get lift, I could imagine that would be tiring for the abs pretty soon. In that case you would probably be dropping your board occasionally during take off.

A good pop could also help you balance more weight on you back instead of hanging under the kite, thus preventing the harness from riding up.

That said, even my worst unpopped jumps have never given me any ab pain. Only the general soreness of being out of shape starting a new season, which to me only means I'm on the right track.

I had the same problem when i started jumping. What i noticed i would hold my breath and tighten my abbs when i jumped. Would have terrible pain the next day, made it hard to do anything. Make sure you stay relaxed and breathe when you jump. One your used to jumping it will get better.